Silverdale Parish Council

2015/07/20 Extraordinary Meeting

20th July 2015
11016 Un-confirmed Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Silverdale Parish Council held in the Silverdale Institute on Monday, 20th July 2015.
11017 Present: Chairman – T.G. (Terry) Bond, Councillors J. (John) Bennett, A.J. (Tony) Houghton, S.L. (Shirley) Mason, K. (Keith) Palmer, N. (Nigel) Ribbons, D. (David) Sandiford and P.N. (Paul) Williams, the Deputy Clerk – S.D. (Sue) Hayward, City Councillor N. (Nigel) Goodrich and more than 50 members of the public.
11018 Apologies for Absence: the Clerk – L.D. (Denise) Challenor.
11019 Receipt of Declarations of Members’ Interests Relating to any Items Appearing on the Agenda
None.
11020 Matters Raised by Members of the Public for Future Consideration
All matters raised were in connection with the Silverdale Village Institute planning application for the construction of a skate park, multi-use games area and running track.
1. It was pointed out that the Institute and field are for the benefit of all age groups.
2. Requests for an acoustic survey and a health and safety assessment.
3. Some expressed concerns about the proposed skate park including a belief that there would be more litter, the increased possibility of minor accidents, bad behaviour and drug use – particularly as there is little police presence in the village.
4. Some felt that a skate park should be supervised and pointed out that there were insufficient volunteers for the proposed temporary skate park to go ahead last summer.
5. One resident reflected that the field should be used more constructively and that there is a need for facilities for young people, but considered the plans to constitute an overdevelopment of the plot and to be an ‘urban plan’.
6. Some were apprehensive about the removal of a green space being replaced with concrete.
7. One resident pointed out that the planting of decisions trees and subsequent leaf fall may cause problems which would require management.
8. Some residents believed that the facilities might be well-used initially, but would then become redundant and the cost of removing any equipment would be high.
9. Some felt that there should be a focus on younger people, and provision for them in their teenage years, whilst others felt that there is too much bias towards younger people in the proposed facilities. One suggested spaces for walking, running, sitting and possibly gardens.
10. Some residents reported that there is an issue with litter and footballs landing in the neighbouring gardens; one mentioned that his fence has been damaged by footballs, which, he said, a member of the Institute quickly repaired, he suggested that appropriate insurance be put in place before the area is developed.
11. Some reminded those present that the field was used as a cricket pitch for a number of years and understood that this had not presented problems with noise etc.
12. Reference was made to Sports England guidelines which, apparently, might not favour a skate park or Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in such close proximity to dwellings as that indicated in the plans.
13. A member of the Institute committee reminded residents of the ‘comprehensive’ survey which was carried out and advised that the plans show that the committee are trying to put in place the facilities for which the survey showed a demand.
14. There was some discussion about the area of benefit which, some pointed out, is for residents of Silverdale only.
15. Concerns regarding lorries using Spring Bank to access the field should building proceed, and the maintenance of the road if damaged by such vehicles.
16. A member of the First Responders advised that the field is one of the few places where an air ambulance can land in the village and advised caution with regards the erection of permanent structures.
Members of the public were reminded that comments can be made direct to Lancaster City Council.
11021 Silverdale Village Institute Planning Application
The following planning application was considered and comments made as indicated:
15/00739/FUL Silverdale Village Institute. Construction of a skate park, multi-use games area and running track.
RESOLVED to support the general thrust of this application to improve recreational facilities, but Members were unable to come to a full decision, because of the lack of information on certain points:
• There is no acoustic survey completed, either for the MUGA or the skate park;
• There is no visual impact survey on either the MUGA or the skate park;
• The providers of the skate park may be able to provide data on the reduction in sound levels by using special concrete;
• There are insufficient details about the materials used in the construction of the fencing on the MUGA;
• A tree root survey may be useful to determine whether there is a need to have the MUGA at such a height;
• It is believed that Sport England guidelines indicate that there should be at least 12 metres from the MUGA to the nearest boundary; such a distance would prevent the ‘ball over the fence’ incidents;
• There are no details of the proposed drainage for the skate park;
• Concerns about the increased traffic on Spring Bank (a private, narrow road) and subsequent parking;
• There is no information about hours of use or supervision.
Members believed that such information should be obtained prior to a full decision being made.
11022 Date of Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next meeting is Monday, August 3rd 2015. Items for the agenda and copies of reports to reach the Clerk before Monday, 27th July.
Sue D. Hayward, Deputy Clerk to the Council